High glucose increase cell cycle regulatory proteins level of mouse embryonic stem cells via PI3-K/Akt and MAPKs signal pathways.

This study examined the effects of high glucose on cell proliferation and its related signal pathways using mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Here, we showed that high glucose level significantly increased [3H]thymidine incorporation, BrdU incorporation, the number of cells, [3H]leucine, and [3H]proline incorporation in a time-( >3 hr) and dose-(> 25 mM) dependent manner. Moreover, high glucose level increased the cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphorylation.

Alteration of the gene and protein levels of insulin-like growth factors in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGFs: IGF-I and IGF-II) systems have been reported to be associated with the onset of diabetic mellitus. Therefore, we investigated the effect of diabetes on regulation of the IGF system in the liver, kidneys and heart, which are important organs in the pathogenesis of diabetes. The experimental groups were subdivided into three groups: 1) controls, 2) streptozotocin (STZ)-induced untreated diabetic group, and 3) an insulin-treated group (plus diabetic rats).

Influence of ovarian hyperstimulation and ovulation induction on the cytoskeletal dynamics and developmental competence of oocytes.

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of gonadotrophin on cytoskeletal dynamics and embryo development and its role in improving the retrieval of developmentally competent oocytes. Female golden hamsters were injected with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG; 5-, 7.5- or 15-IU) on the day 4 of estrus, pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG; 5-, 7.

Dopamine regulates cell cycle regulatory proteins via cAMP, Ca(2+)/PKC, MAPKs, and NF-kappaB in mouse embryonic stem cells.

This study examined the effect of dopamine on DNA synthesis and its related signal cascades in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Dopamine inhibited DNA synthesis in both a dose- and time-dependent manner. Dopamine, SKF 38393 (D1 receptor agonist), and quinpirole (D2 receptor agonist) decreased the level of [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation.

Intrathecal treatment with sigma1 receptor antagonists reduces formalin-induced phosphorylation of NMDA receptor subunit 1 and the second phase of formalin test in mice.

Although previous reports have suggested that the sigma 1 (sigma(1)) receptor may be involved in pain sensation, its specific site of action has not been elucidated. The aim of present study was to determine the role of the spinal sigma(1) receptor in formalin-induced pain behavior, spinal cord Fos expression and phosphorylation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1 (pNR1). Intrathecal (i.

Substantial role of locus coeruleus-noradrenergic activation and capsaicin-insensitive primary afferent fibers in bee venom's anti-inflammatory effect.

Several lines of evidence indicate significant interactions between the immune and nervous systems. Our recent study reveals that 'bee venom (BV) induced anti-inflammatory effect' (BVAI) was produced by sympathetic preganglionic neuronal activation and subsequent adrenomedullary catecholamine release in a zymosan-induced inflammation model. However, the specific peripheral input and the supraspinal neuronal systems that are involved in this BVAI remain to be defined.

PKC and MAPKs pathways mediate EGF-induced stimulation of 2-deoxyglucose uptake in mouse embryonic stem cells.

It has been reported that epidermal growth factor (EGF) and EGF receptor were highly expressed in embryo, suggesting that the EGF system is related to early embryo development in an autocrine and/or paracrine manner. Glucose becomes the preimplantation exogenous energy substrate and enters the blastocyst via glucose transporters. Thus, the effect of EGF on [3H]-2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake and its related signaling pathways were examined in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells.

The anti-inflammatory effects of low- and high-frequency electroacupuncture are mediated by peripheral opioids in a mouse air pouch inflammation model.

Background: Although acupuncture has been widely used for complementary therapeutic approaches to treat inflammatory diseases and inflammation-induced pain, the potential anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture treatment remain controversial in clinical trials, and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear.

Objective: The objective was to determine whether electroacupuncture (EA) is able to suppress the peripheral inflammatory response (e.g.

High glucose-induced inhibition of 2-deoxyglucose uptake is mediated by cAMP, protein kinase C, oxidative stress and mitogen-activated protein kinases in mouse embryonic stem cells.

Abnormally high glucose levels may play an important role in early embryo development and function. In the present study, we investigated the effect of high glucose on 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake and its related signalling pathway in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. 2.

Role of ATP in DNA synthesis of renal proximal tubule cells: involvement of calcium, MAPKs, and CDKs.

Although ATP has been shown to act as a modulator in various kidney functions, its effect on renal proximal tubule cell (PTC) proliferation has not been elucidated. This study investigated the effect of ATP on cell proliferation and the effect of its related signal pathways on primary cultured PTCs. Treatment with >10(-5) M ATP for 1 h stimulated incorporation of thymidine and bromodeoxyuridine.

Estradiol-17beta stimulates proliferation of mouse embryonic stem cells: involvement of MAPKs and CDKs as well as protooncogenes.

Although the importance of estradiol-17beta (E(2)) in many physiological processes has been reported, to date no researchers have investigated the effects of E(2) on embryonic stem (ES) cell proliferation. Therefore, in the present study, we have examined the effect of E(2) on the DNA synthesis of murine ES (ES-E14TG2a) cells and its related signaling pathways. The results of this study show that E(2) (10(-9) M) significantly increased [(3)H]thymidine incorporation at >4 h and that E(2) (>10(-12) M) induced an increase of [(3)H]thymidine incorporation after 8-h incubation.

EGF stimulates proliferation of mouse embryonic stem cells: involvement of Ca2+ influx and p44/42 MAPKs.

We examined the effect of EGF on the proliferation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and their related signal pathways. EGF increased [3H]thymidine and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. EGF stimulated the phosphorylation of EGF receptor (EGFR).

ATP stimulates Na+-glucose cotransporter activity via cAMP and p38 MAPK in renal proximal tubule cells.

Extracellular ATP plays an important role in the regulation of renal function. However, the effect of ATP on the Na(+)-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) has not been elucidated in proximal tubule cells (PTCs). Therefore, this study was performed to examine the action of ATP on SGLTs and their related signal pathways in primary cultured rabbit renal PTCs.

The anti-inflammatory effect of peripheral bee venom stimulation is mediated by central muscarinic type 2 receptors and activation of sympathetic preganglionic neurons.

The anti-inflammatory effect (AI) induced by peripheral injection of diluted bee venom (dBV) involves activation of spinal cord circuits and is mediated by catecholamine release from adrenal medulla, but the precise neuronal mechanisms involved are not fully understood. In a recent study, we demonstrated that an increase in spinal acetylcholine is involved in mediating the anti-inflammatory effect of dBV and that this mediation also involves adrenomedullary activation. The present study utilized the mouse air pouch inflammation model to evaluate the involvement of spinal acetylcholine receptors and sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPNs) in dBV's anti-inflammatory effect (dBVAI).

ANG II increases 2-deoxyglucose uptake in mouse embryonic stem cells.

It is now suggested that all components of the renin-angiotensin system are present in many tissues, including the embryo and may play a major role in embryo development and differentiation. However, little is known regarding whether ANG II regulates glucose transport in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Thus, the effects of ANG II on [3H]-2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake and its related signal pathways were examined in mouse ES cells.

Intrathecal neostigmine reduces the zymosan-induced inflammatory response in a mouse air pouch model via adrenomedullary activity: involvement of spinal muscarinic type 2 receptors.

Intrathecal (IT) injection of neostigmine (a cholinesterase inhibitor) has been reported to produce a significant anti-nociceptive effect in a number of inflammatory pain models. However, a potential anti-inflammatory effect of IT neostigmine in these models has not been investigated. In the present study, we have examined the 'anti-inflammatory effect of IT injection of neostigmine' (AI-NEO) using a standard mouse air pouch model by evaluating the effect of AI-NEO on zymosan-induced leukocyte migration and myeloperoxidase (MPO) release.

Effect of adenosine triphosphate on phosphate uptake in renal proximal tubule cells: involvement of PKC and p38 MAPK.

ATP has been known to act as an extracellular signal and to be involved in various functions of kidney. Renal proximal tubular reabsorption of phosphate (Pi) contributes to the maintenance of phosphate homeostasis, which is regulated by Na+/Pi cotransporter. However, the effects of ATP on Na+/Pi cotransporters were not elucidated in proximal tubule cells (PTCs).

Enzymatic synthesis and anti-coagulant effect of salicin analogs by using the Leuconostoc mesenteroides glucansucrase acceptor reaction.

Glucansucrases from Leuconostoc mesenteroides catalyze the transfer of glucosyl units from sucrose to other carbohydrates by acceptor reaction. We modified salicyl alcohol, phenol and salicin by using various glucansucrases and with sucrose as a donor of glucosyl residues. Salicin, phenyl glucose, isosalicin, isomaltosyl salicyl alcohol, and a homologous series of oligosaccharides, connected to the acceptors and differing from one another by one or more glucose residues, were produced as major reaction products.

Insulin stimulates Ca2+ uptake via PKC, cAMP, and p38 MAPK in mouse embryonic stem cells.

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are provided as a powerful tool for developmental biology and have been shown to respond to insulin. However, little is known about the effect of insulin on [Ca2+]i regulation in the ES cells, although many cellular functions are tightly regulated by [Ca2+]i. Therefore, we examined the effect of insulin on Ca2+ uptake and its related signal pathways in the mouse ES cells.

Effect of adenosine triphosphate in renal ischemic injury: involvement of NF-kappaB.

Renal ischemic/reperfusion injury in vivo results in a significant increase of acute renal failure (ARF) and death. Nevertheless, there are many limitations in using in vivo models of renal ischemic injury to elucidate the detailed mechanisms of renal injury. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an extracellular signal, has been shown to be an important factor in regulation of epithelial cell function.

Water soluble fraction (<10 kDa) from bee venom reduces visceral pain behavior through spinal alpha 2-adrenergic activity in mice.

We have previously shown that subcutaneous bee venom (BV) injection reduces visceral pain behavior in mice, but it is not clear which constituent of BV is responsible for its antinociceptive effect. In the present study, we now demonstrate that a water-soluble subfraction of BV (BVA) reproduces the antinociceptive effect of BV in acetic acid-induced visceral pain model. We further evaluated three different BVA subfractions that were separated by molecular weight, and found that only the BVAF3 subfraction (a molecular weight of <10 kDa) produced a significant antinociceptive effect on abdominal stretches and suppressed visceral pain-induced spinal cord Fos expression.

Antinociceptive mechanisms associated with diluted bee venom acupuncture (apipuncture) in the rat formalin test: involvement of descending adrenergic and serotonergic pathways.

In a previous report, subcutaneous injection of diluted bee venom (dBV) into a specific acupuncture point (Zusanli, ST36), a procedure termed apipuncture, was shown to produce an antinociceptive effect in the rat formalin pain model. However, the central antinociceptive mechanisms responsible for this effect have not been established. Traditional acupuncture-induced antinociception is considered to be mediated by activation of the descending pain inhibitory system (DPIS) including initiation of its opioidergic, adrenergic and serotonergic components.

General pharmacological profiles of bee venom and its water soluble fractions in rodent models.

Recently, the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory efficacy of bee venom (BV, Apis mellifera) has been confirmed in rodent models of inflammation and arthritis. Interestingly, the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of whole BV can be reproduced by two water-soluble fractions of BV (>20 kDa:BVAF1 and<10 kDa: BVAF3). Based on these scientific findings, BV and its effective water-soluble fractions have been proposed as potential anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive pharmaceuticals.

High glucose-induced oxidative stress inhibits Na+/glucose cotransporter activity in renal proximal tubule cells.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of renal diseases such as diabetic nephropathy. The metabolism of excessive intracellular glucose may involve a number of processes. One consequence of excessive intracellular glucose levels is an increased rate of oxidative phosphorylation under hyperglycemic conditions, whereas another consequence is an increase in the metabolism of glucose to sorbitol by aldose reductase.

Effects of TCDD and estradiol-17beta on the proliferation and Na+/glucose cotransporter in renal proximal tubule cells.

TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) is a highly toxic environmental toxicant that alters cell proliferation and function. Estrogens are noted for their ability to stimulate cell proliferation in various tissues. However, little is known about any interaction between TCDD and estradiol-17beta (E(2)) that affects renal proximal tubule cell proliferation and Na(+)/glucose cotransporters' activity.